Our Kingdom ministry

February 1998                       For United States of America                       Vol. 41, No. 2

• ¹ Jesus Christ put the responsibility to evangelize on all his disciples, specifically directing them to preach the good news of the Kingdom. (Matt. 24:14; Acts 10:42) His early disciples set the pattern in this as they spoke about the Kingdom without letup—not only at places of worship but wherever they met people in public and in going from house to house. (Acts 5:42; 20:20) As Jehovah’s Witnesses today, we have proved ourselves to be true Christian evangelizers, preaching the Kingdom message in 232 lands and baptizing over one million new disciples in just the last three years! Why has our evangelizing work been so successful?

• ² Good News Excites Us: Evangelizers are preachers, or messengers, of good news. As such, we have the exciting privilege of announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—the only real good news that can be offered to distressed humanity. We are enthusiastic about the advance knowledge we have gained of a new heavens that will righteously rule a new earth made up of faithful mankind in the coming Paradise. (2 Pet. 3:13, 17) We are the only ones who have embraced this hope, and we are eager to share it with others.

• ³ True Love Motivates Us: Evangelizing is a lifesaving work. (Rom. 1:16) That is why we experience great joy in spreading the Kingdom message. As true evangelizers, we love people, and that moves us to share the good news with them—our families, neighbors, acquaintances, and as many others as possible. Doing this work whole-souled is one of the finest expressions we can make of our true love for others.

—1 Thess. 2:8.

• ⁴ God’s Spirit Backs Us: God’s Word assures us that when we do our work of planting and watering Kingdom seed, it is Jehovah who “makes it grow.” That is exactly what we see happening in our organization today. (1 Cor. 3:5-7) It is God’s spirit that backs us in our evangelizing activity and gives us great success.—Joel 2:28,29.

• ⁵ In view of the encouragement at 2 Timothy 4:5 to “do the work of an evangellzer” and because of our love for all people, may we be motivated to share the exciting Kingdom good news at every opportunity, confident that Jehovah will continue to bless our work.

  If It Gets Results, Use It!

  
  

• ¹ Our Kingdom Ministry continually provides us with a variety of suggested presentations for use in the ministry. This gives us fresh ideas on how to create interest in the Kingdom message. It may be that you make an effort each month to learn one or more of these presentations. However, some publishers may find that by the time they have used one of them a few times, another issue of Our Kingdom Ministry provides new presentations. Obviously it may not be possible for everyone to learn a new presentation before mastering a previous one.

• ² There are, of course, thousands of pioneers and other publishers who spend much time in field service. Furthermore, many congregations work their entire territory every few weeks. Ip these circumstances, publishers appreciate having new approaches and ideas for presenting the message. This helps them to enhance their skills. It also makes their ministry more interesting and fruitful and helps them to meet the challenges encountered.

• ³ In any ease, if you have prepared a presentation that works well in cultivating Interest, by all means continue to use it! It is not necessary to discontinue using an effective presentation that is getting results. Simply adapt it to the literature offer for the current month. As you review the suggestions offered in Our Kingdom Ministry, look for interesting points that you may wish to work into your presentation.

• ⁴ So when you receive a new issue of Our Kingdom Ministry, remember that the presentations it contains are simply suggestions. If you can use them, fine. But if you have already found a presentation that gets results in your territory, use it! The important thing is to “fully accomplish your ministry” in a fine manner, finding the deserving ones and helping them to become disciples.—2 Tim. 4:5.

Week Starting February 2

Song 166

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Theocratic News.

15 min: “Jehovah’s Witnesses —True Evangelizers.” Questions and answers. Review box on page 19 in September 1, 1992, Watchtower.

20 mln: “Extend an Invitation to Everyone Thirsting.” Review article, pointing out how the suggested presentations are designed to stimulate interest and motivate listeners. Have an adult demonstrate paragraphs 2-3 or 4-5 and a youth demonstrate paragraph 6. Each publisher should mention the donation arrangement.

Song 208 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting February 9

Song 96

1O min: Local announcements. Accounts report.

15 min: Local needs.

.20- min: “Witnessing to People of All Languages and Religions.” (Paragraphs 1-10) Questions and answers. List what languages are spoken by many in your territory, and show what literature the congregation has in stock for those languages. As described in paragraph 10, have demonstrated the use of the booklet Good News for All Nations.

Song 220 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting February 16

Song 75

5 min: Local announcements.

12 min: Why You Need to Attend Congregation Meetings. Elder discusses main points in August 15, 1993, Watchtower, pages 8-11, stressing importance of regular attendance at all meetings.

18 min: “Witnessing to People of All Languages and Religions.” (Paragraphs 11-28) Questions and answers. List which nonChristian religions are present in your territory. Have an experienced publisher demonstrate how to give an initial witness to someone who is Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, or Muslim—whichever one is most prevalent locally. 10 min: “Jehovah Is My Helper.” Warm, encouraging talk by elder. Song 15 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting February 23

Song 4

1O min: Local announcements. Review literature offer for March. Mention one or two ideas for presenting the Knowledge book, using points from the December 1995 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 8. Emphasize the goal of starting home Bible studies.

15 min: “If It Gets Results, Use It!" Questions and answers. Have one or two experienced publishers from the audience briefly comment on presentations they have continued to use because of the simplicity of the presentations and the results produced. Then have some share recently suggested approaches that were in Our Kingdom Ministry and that have proved to be effective.

20 min: Practice Your Presentations. Short talk based on School Guidebook, pages 98-9, paragraphs 8-9. Stress need to analyze our presentations and to look for ways to become more effective. Have two sisters demonstrate how they analyze what they did at a door, discussing how they can improve. They also have a brief practice session to try out a presentation they plan to use next time, giving each other helpful suggestions. Chairman concludes by encouraging all to analyze and practice their presentations.

Song 103 and concluding prayer.

Liberia: The Branch office in Monrovia was reopened on September 1, after being closed for 15 months as a result of civil war. They reported a new alltime peak of 1,977 publishers In September.

Mozambique: A new peak of 28,005 publishers was reached in September. The old peak was 25,790 in May 1975, so this Is a milestone in Mozambique’s theocratic history.

Nepal: A new peak of 306 publishers was reached in September. Nearly 500 Bible studies are being conducted at present.

St. Helena: Each household on this island was given a copy of Kingdom News No. 35.

Several countries started off the service year with new publisher peaks amounting to 5-percent increases over last year’s average: Hong Kong, 4,230; Madagascar, 8,749 (including a peak of 912 regular pioneers); Taiwan, 3,497.

NOVEMBER SERVICE REPORT

Congregation Book Study

Schedule for congregation studies in the book rhe Secret of Family Happiness.

s 1998 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society ot Pennsylvania All rights reserved Our Kingdom Ministry (ISSN 1067-7259) is published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New Yuk. Inc., and International Bible Students Association. 25 Columbia Heights. Brooklyn. NY 11201-2483. Periodicals Postage Paid al Brooklyn, NY. and al additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Kingdom Ministry, c/o Watchtower. 25 Columbia Heights. Brooklyn. NY 11201-2483.                     Printed In USA

Witnessing to People

of All Languages and Religions

ous witness to people who spoke other lan*-guages and who professed different religions^ As a result/^'by the year 100 probably every province that bordered the Mediterranean had a Christian community within it.”J-Wis-_ tory of the Middle Ages.

² Here in the United States, many people speak languages other than English. There are cities and towns now that have foreign communities of considerable size because of the movement of refugees. Multitudes who practice various non-Christian religions have immigrated here, including hundreds of thousands of Buddhists, Hindus. Jews, and Muslims. Because~of this diversity of languages and religions, it is quite a challenge to \ know how to converse with and witness to all suchpeople when we meet them. In effect, we may have missionary territory in our own locality. How can we follow Jesus’ orders foo preach to the people and to give a thorough witness’jto people of all languages and reli-gions?^Acts 10:42.

ing from among the foreign-speaking popula

tion in the 48 states in our branch territory. Congregations have been established in 17 foreign languages, and groups are functioning in 7 additional languages. However, more can yet be accomplished where there are no foreign-language congregations already working the territory.

Hurdling the Language Barrier: There is doubt that many people learn much more Quickly and with deeper understanding when they are taught in their mother tongue( “For the sake of the good news” and in order that they ‘may become sharers of it with others^Am any brnt.hej-.s and sisters have learned another language. (1 Cor. 9:23) Although a Chinese-speaking woman had been on an yea_rs, the woman declined offers of a Bible study until another sister, who was learning Chinese; offered her a book in that language. It was readily accepted along with a study. What made all the difference was the second sister’s effort to speak a fgw words 4n the_ woman’s own language.^Compare Acts 22:2. _

⁵For good reason theTTOyembfej 1, 19527* Watchtower makes this cornment-VTearn--ing a foreign language . . . will not only de-^ velop the mental capacity of young people but also make them more useful to Jeho-/ vah’s organization.’’^Many members of the Bethel family have^yundertaken the task of learning a new language. In this wav, brothers have been particularly helpful in congre- / gations where they are needed to take_the^L lead. If you know another language or if you are willing to learn, you too may be able to . render assistance to a foreign-language cqnV gregation or group.—Matt. 9:37, 38.>*^ *¹ ■

• ⁶ A brother in Florida who learned Viet-z namese prior to coming into the truth now ^t .jfinds great, joy in sharing the good_n§jys with iVietnamese-speaking people. To make himself more available to use his knowledge of that language for witnessing, he moved his family cross-country to where the^-need is greater in the Vietnamese field. Since making the move, he is haying good success in studying the Bible with many people from Vietnam.

• ⁷ A pioneer sister in California met several ^: deaf people in her territory. She prayed for Je- ' hovah’s help to find someone who could teach' her sign language so that she could teach them the truth. One day while shopping in the neighborhood supermarket, she was approached by a young deaf woman who wrote a note asking for help to find a product. After assisting her to find it, the pioneer wrote a note evprAcsing her desire to learn sign language so as to help the deaf in the area. Then the deaf woman wrote, asking,^‘Why do you

  2/98 km-E Us

  
  

OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY, FEBRUARY 1998

want to help deaf people?” The sister wrote back/j am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and I want to help the deaf understand^the Bible. I will be happy to teach you the Bible if you will teach me sign language.” The sister says: “You cannot imagine my joy when she said ‘OK/ ” The sister went to the woman’s home every evening for six weeks. She learned sign language, and the deaf woman learned the truth and was baptized! That happened over 30 years ago, and the pioneer sister is still witnessing to the deaf and is now associating with a sign-language congregation.

/ ⁸ If you are fluent in another language and have the desire and are able to move to where the need is greater in that field, why not dis-f cuss the matter with the elders in the ”con-' gregation. If they feel you qualify for such a move, ask the circuit overseer if there is an area where you can serve nearby. If there is not, you can write to the Society, provided that the elders send along a covering letter with their observations about your qualifications and language skills.—See the August 15, 1^88, Watchtower, pages 21-3.

/ Using the Tools That Are Provided: Our literature is available in many foreign languages. It would be good to carry tracts—(o| if no foreign-language congregation is working the same territory, the Regulrei5YOCh\ire=An the languages that are spoken in your territory. If it is obvious that English is not a person’s first language, ask him what languages he reads. This may increase your options as to what literature you can offer. For example./a person who speaks Urdu may also be able to read Arabic.}

i ¹⁰ Even if you do not speak the language of the person you meet in your witnessing activity, you may still be able to present the, good news to him. How? By using the booklet Good News for All Nations. It contains a brief pffnt-) ed message jn 59Janguages. As the" instfuc-tions on page 2 of the booklet explain, after you have determined the householder’s language, let him read the printed information ) on the appropriate page in the booklet. A^r he reads it, sljowjiim-ajwbllc&tion in his language. If you do~nbt~have one, sho^v him the publication in English. Indicate that you will try to return with a copyTn his language.

A^ his name, and write it dow/falol^fwither the address. Perhaps you cay pass the in-// formation on to the nearest /congregation <5r' group for that language, using the Foreign Language Follow-Up Slip (^70a). For further instructions on how to forward such information to the appropriate brothers, see page 7 of the~October 1993 Our Kingdom Ministry. If nOLOng who speaks the language is available to take the call, you may be able to accept \ the challenge, perhaps even studying with the ) person by following alongjn an English puby lleatlonZl Cor^23.

**   ' Witnessing to People         '

of Non-Christian Religions

• ¹¹ Having some knowledge of a person’s religious background helps us to give an effective witness about God’s Kingdom. The book Mankind’s Search for God gives us insight into the world’s major religions so that we can understand people’s beliefs well enough to help them come to a knowledge of the truth.

• ¹² The box on the last page of this insert gives a current list of publications that Jehovah’s organization has provided for use in witnessing to non-Christian people. By reading these publications, we understand how to approach people with the good news. Not to be forgotten as a helpful tool is the Reasoning book. Pages 21-4 of that book provide practical suggestions on how to respond to Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and Muslims.

• ¹³ Being Careful What You Say: We Should be careful not to stereotype people of a certain religion by concluding that their personal beliefs are necessarily the same as those of others of that faith. Instead, endeavor to understand how the individual you are speaking with thinks. (Acts 10:24-35) As a Muslim, Salimoon was brought up to believe that the Koran is God’s word. But he could never fully accept the Muslim teaching that an allmerciful God would torture people in a burning hell. One day, Jehovah’s Witnesses invited him to a meeting. Recognizing the truth at once, he now serves happily as an elder in the Christian congregation.

• ¹⁴ When witnessing to those of nonChristian beliefs, we need to be careful that our approach does not cost us the opportu-

nity to converse with them about the good news. (Acts 24:16) Adherents of some religions are very sensitive about any attempts to convert them from their faith. So be alert to And points on which to build a common ground so as to attract them to the whole truth of God’s Word. Sheeplike ones will respond to a kindly approach and a clear presentation of the truth.

• ¹⁵ Our word choice is also an important consideration, lest we unnecessarily alienate people from our message. For example, if you immediately identify yourself as a Christian, your listener might automatically associate you with Christendom’s churches, which could raise a barrier. It may also be advantageous to refer to the Bible as “the Scriptures” or “the holy writings.”—Matt. 21:42; 2 Tim. 3:15.

• ¹⁶ If you meet a person of a non-Christian religion and feel ill-equipped to offer a witness on the spot, use the opportunity just to get acquainted, leave a tract, and exchange names. Then return in a day or two, after you have adequately prepared to give a witness. —1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 3:17.

• ¹⁷ Witnessing to Buddhists: (See chapter 6 in Mankind’s Search for God.) Buddhist beliefs vary greatly from one adherent to another. Rather than advocate the existence of a personal Creator, Buddhism holds the Indian man Buddha Gautama, of the sixth century B.C.E., as a religious ideal. When he first saw a sick man, an old man, and a dead man, Gautama agonized over the meaning of life. ‘Were men born just to suffer, grow old, and die?’ he wondered. Of course, we can answer those questions for sincere Buddhists who want to know the answers.

• ¹⁸ When speaking to Buddhists, stick to the positive message and clear truths that are found in the greatest of all holy books, the Bible. Like most other people, Buddhists are keenly interested in peace, morality, and family life, and they often welcome discussion on these topics. This can lead to your highlighting the Kingdom as the real solution to mankind’s problems.

• ¹⁹ In some metropolitan areas in this country, there has been a large influx of Chinese people who hold to Buddhism and other Oriental philosophies. Many are students attending universities in the United States. When a sister in Montana saw a Chinese man in a grocery store, she handed him a tract in his language and offered him a Bible study. He said: “Do you mean the Holy Bible? I have been searching for this my whole life!” He started studying that week and began attending all the meetings.

• ²⁰ For over a decade, a pioneer sister in Nevada has been teaching the truth to Chinese students. When working one building with eight apartments occupied by these students, she prayed for Jehovah to help her start a study in each apartment. Within two weeks she was studying with at least one student in each apartment. An approach that works well for her is to say that she has found a common concern among students—they all want peace and happiness. Then she asks if that is their concern too. They always agree. She directs their attention to the brochure Lasting Peace and Happiness—How to Find Them, which is designed for Chinese people. After having just five study sessions, one student told her he had been searching for the truth for a long time and has now found it.

• ²¹ Witnessing to Hindus: (See chapter 5 in Mankind’s Search for God.) Hinduism has no definite creed. Its philosophy is very complex. Hindus have a trinitarian concept of their major god Brahman (Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Siva the Destroyer). Belief in an immortal soul is essential to their teaching of reincarnation, which tends to give Hindus a fatalistic view of life. (See the Reasoning book, pages 317-21, and The Watchtower, May 15,1997, pages 3-8.) Hinduism teaches tolerance, that all religions lead to the same truth.

• ²² An approach to take in witnessing to a Hindu is to explain our Bible-based hope of living forever in human perfection on earth as well as the satisfying answers the Bible gives to the important questions that face all mankind.

• ²³ Witnessing to Jews: (See chapter 9 in Mankind’s Search for God.) Unlike other nonChristian religions, Judaism is rooted in history, not in mythology. Through the inspired Hebrew Scriptures, an essential link is provided in mankind’s search for the true God. And yet, contrary to God’s Word, a basic teaching of modern Judaism is belief in an immortal human soul. A common ground can be established by confirming that we worship the God of Abraham and by acknowledging that we face the same difficulties in today’s world.

• ²⁴ If you meet a Jew who lacks faith in God, asking whether he has always felt that way may help you discern what would best appeal to him. For example, he may never have heard a satisfying explanation as to why God permits suffering. Sincere Jews can be encouraged to reexamine the identity of Jesus as the Messiah, not through Christendom’s misrepresentations of him, but in the way Jewish writers of the Greek Scriptures present him.

• ²⁵ Witnessing to Muslims: (See chapter 12 in Mankind’s Search for God.) Muslims (or, Moslems) are adherents of Islam (or, Muhammadanism), which includes belief in Allah as their sole deity and in Muhammad (570-632 C.E.) as his last and most important prophet. Because they do not believe that God had a son, Muslims recognize Jesus Christ as a lesser prophet of God, but nothing more. The Koran, which is less than 1,400 years old, cites both the Hebrew and the Greek Scriptures. Strong similarities exist between Islam and Catholicism. Both religions teach immortality of the human soul, a state of temporary torment, and the existence of a burning hell.

• ²⁶ An obvious common ground is our belief that there is only one true God and that the Bible was inspired by him. A careful reader of the Koran has seen references to the 'i'orah, the Psalms, and the Gospels as being God’s Word and has read that they should be recognized as such and obeyed. Hence, you can offer to study these with the individual.

This presentation might work with someone who identifies himself as a Muslim: “I have not spoken to many Muslims, but I have read something about a few teachings of your religion in this handbook. [Turn to page 24 in the Reasoning book.] It says you believe that Jesus was a prophet but that Muhammad was the last and most important prophet. Do you also believe that Moses was a true prophet? [Allow for response.] Could I show you what Moses learned from God about His personal name?” Then read Exodus 6:2, 3. On the return visit, you could discuss the subheading “One God, One Religion,” on page 13 in the booklet The Time for True Submission to God.

²⁸ Today, many are acting in harmony with the words of Isaiah 55:6, which reads: “Search for Jehovah, you people, while he may be found. Call to him while he proves to be near.” This applies to all honesthearted ones, regardless of the language they speak or their religious background. We can be confident that Jehovah will bless our efforts as we endeavor to go and “make disciples of people of all the nations.”—Matt. 28:19.

LITERATURE DESIGNED FOR NON-CHRISTIAN PEOPLES

Buddhists

In Search of a Father               (Booklet)

“Look! I Am Making All Things New" (Brochure) Chinese

Lasting Peace and Happiness—How to Find Them                       (Brochure)

Hindus

From Kurukshetra to Armageddon—And Your Survival                        (Booklet)

Our Problems—Who Will Help Us Solve Them?

(Brochure)

The Path of Divine Truth Leading to Liberation (Booklet)

Victory Over Death—Is It Possible for You?

(Booklet) Why Should We Worship God in Love and Truth? (Brochure)

Jews

A Peaceful New World—Will It Come?

(Tract No. 17) Jehovah’s Witnesses—What Do They Believe?

(Tract No. 18) Will There Ever Be a World Without War?

(Brochure)

Muslims

How to Find the Road to Paradise     (Tract)

The Time for True Submission to God (Booklet)

Announcements

■ Literature offer for February: Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! March: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. Concentrate on starting home Bible studies. April and May: Individual copies of The Watchtower and Awake!

■ The secretary and the service overseer should review the activity of all regular pioneers. If any are having difficulty meeting the hour requirement, the elders should arrange for assistance to be given. For suggestions, review Society’s letters (S-201) of October 1, 1993, and October 1, 1992. Also see paragraphs 12-20 of the August 1986 Our Kingdom Ministry insert.

■ On Saturday, May 9, 1998, the Society’s facilities in Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York, will be closed for spring cleaning. There will be no arrangements for tours or for congregations to pick up literature on that day.

■ Groups of publishers who have made arrangements to share in working unassigned territory in coming months should plan to offer the Require brochure or the Knowledge book in their field service.

■ New Publications Available: ABookforAUPeople   —Papiamento

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures              —Greek, Polish

Watch Tower Publications Index 1986

1995                    —Greek

Watch Tower Publications Index 1991

1994                     —Polish

What Does God Require of Us?

—Sranantongo

What Is the Purpose of Life—How Can

You Find It?            —Tigrinya

When Someone You Love Dies —Chinese (Simplified), Tigrinya

■ New Audiocassettes Available:

Doing What Is Right in Jehovah's Eyes

(Drama, single cassette)   —Greek

The Secret of Family Happiness (five cassettes in an album)   —Spanish

■ New Videocassettes Available:

Jehovah’s Witnesses Stand Firm Against

Nazi Assault —French, Greek, Italian

• ¹ When Jesus commissioned his first disciples, he told them: “Look! I am sending you forth as sheep amidst wolves.” (Matt. 10:16) Did that cause them to become apprehensive and hold back? No. They adopted the attitude later expressed by the apostle Paul when he told fellow Christians: “Be of good courage and say: ‘Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Heb. 13:6) They rejoiced to be counted worthy to be dishonored in behalf of Jesus’ name, and they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news.—Acts 5:41, 42.

• ² Today the worldwide preaching work is in its final stages. Just as Jesus predicted, we have become objects of hatred by all the nations. (Matt. 24:9) Our preaching work has been opposed and ridiculed, and in some parts of the earth, it has even been banned. If we were lacking in faith, we could feel intimidated. However, knowing that Jehovah is our Helper refreshes us and strengthens us to persevere.

• ³ Courage is the quality of being strong, bold, valiant. It is the opposite of fear, timidity, cowardice. Jesus’ disciples have always needed courage to endure. It is essential if we are to avoid being disheartened by the attitudes and actions of a world at enmity with God. How encouraging it is for us to think of the sterling example of Jesus, a world conquerer! (John 16: 33) Remember, too, the apostles who in the face of severe trials boldly declared: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” —Acts 5:29.

• ⁴ We Are Not the Sort That Shrink Back: We should strive to maintain a positive attitude toward our work. (Heb. 10:39) Always keep in mind that we are being sent out by Jehovah as an expression of his love and mercy toward all mankind. He never asks his servants to do anything that does not serve a useful purpose. Everything we are assigned to do will ultimately be for the good of those who love God—Rom. 8:28.

⁶ An optimistic outlook will help us to keep seeking the sheeplike ones in our territory. We might view the apathy that people display as an expression of their frustration and hopelessness. Let our love move us to be sympathetic and patient. Every time we place literature or otherwise detect a spark of interest, our goal should be to make a return visit promptly and stimulate further interest. We need never doubt our ability to start a Bible study or to be effective in conducting it. Instead, we should constantly and prayerfully seek Jehovah’s assistance and direction, confident that he will help us.

⁶ We firmly believe that Jehovah will see the work through to its completion. (Compare Philippians 1:6.) Our implicit trust in him as our Helper strengthens us, so that we do “not give up in doing what is fine.”—Gal. 6:9.

Extend an Invitation to Everyone Thirsting

• ¹ As foretold by the prophet Amos, the human family today Is suffering from “a thirst, not for water, but for hearing the words of Jehovah.” (Amos 8:11) To help people in this spiritually parched condition, we tell them about God’s provisions for recovering obedient humans from sin and death, which are depicted in the last chapter of Revelation as being “a river of water of life.” We have the privilege of extending to everyone thirsting for righteousness an invitation to “take life’s water free.” (Rev. 22:1, 17) How can we do this during February? By offering to those who are genuinely interested the book Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! You may want to try these presentations:

• ² Since many people are concerned about health matters, you might find this approach effective:

■ “Many are concerned about the rising cost of quality health care. Perhaps you have given this matter some thought. [Allow for response.] Is there a permanent solution to this problem? [Wait for a response.] Here is a wonderful prospect.” Read Revelation 22:1, 2. Then open the Revelation Climax book to the illustration on pages 308-9, and use paragraph 22 on page 311 to explain it. Conclude by saying: “This publication discusses every verse in Revelation.” If the householder shows genuine interest, offer the book, giving him an opportunity to make a donation to the worldwide work. Make arrangements to return.

• ³ When making the return visit, you could resume your discussion by saying:

■ “The last time I was here, we talked about a permanent solution to health problems. Do you think the time will ever come when no one will be sick? [Allow for response.] Notice this striking statement.” Read Isaiah 33: 24. Then open to lesson 5 in the Require brochure, and discuss paragraphs 5-6, asking the corresponding questions at the start of the lesson and looking up a few of the cited scriptures. Mention that the removal of sickness and death is part of the fulfillment of God’s original purpose for the earth. Arrange to return to discuss paragraphs 1-4 and 7 in the same lesson.

• ⁴ If a current news item involving an untimely death has been on people’s minds, you might try this approach: ■ “You may have heard about [mention the news item]. When lives are tragically cut short, many wonder what comfort can be offered to the families of the victims. What do you think?" Allow for response. Then open to page 299 in the Revelation Climax book, and show the resurrection scene that is illustrated. Continue by saying: “Many are surprised to learn that both righteous and unrighteous people will be brought back to life in Paradise on earth. [Read Acts 24:15 as quoted in paragraph 9 on page 297, and then give the explanation found in paragraph 10.] This book discusses many other interesting details about God’s purpose for the future. If you would like to learn mope about it, you may have this copy.” Make arrangements to return, taking note of the individual's specific interests and concerns.

• ⁵ When you call again, tailor your presentation to the householder. Perhaps you could say:

■ “The last time we spoke, I appreciated a comment you made about God’s purpose for the earth. [Repeat the comment.] I located some material I think you will find interesting.” Open the Require brochure to lesson 5. Read and discuss as many paragraphs in that lesson as seem to hold the householder’s attention. After setting a time to return to continue the lesson, give the householder a handbill outlining the meeting times of the congregation. Explain about the Public Meeting, and invite him to attend.

• ⁶ If you prefer a simplified presentation that features a tract, you could say this:

■ “I would like you to have this tract entitled What Hope for Dead Loved Ones?” Hand it to the householder, and invite him to follow along as you read the first paragraph. Allow him to respond to the question raised in the last sentence. Read the second paragraph, and then open to the illustration on page 299 in the Revelation Climax book. Continue by saying: “This book gives more details about the resurrection and the rest of the Bible’s wonderful promises for the future. If you will read it, you may have this copy.” Give the householder the opportunity to make a donation to the worldwide work, and arrange for a return visit.

’Our extending an appealing invitation to others may cause them to come to the waters of life, which Jehovah is now making available. Therefore, let us say to everyone thirsting, “Come!”—Rev. 22:17.

2/98to-EUs

8